{"id":67096,"date":"2024-05-22T04:08:56","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T02:08:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=67096"},"modified":"2025-07-02T09:34:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T07:34:08","slug":"biodiversity-day-a-deep-relationship-with-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/67096\/biodiversity-day-a-deep-relationship-with-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Biodiversity Day: A deep relationship with nature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For International Biodiversity Day, I preface an interview with Indigenous leader and rights activist Arkilaus Kladit with an exploration of the natural wonders nestled in the rich forests of New Guinea, and in particular its western region known as Papua in Indonesia. This island, the world\u2019s second largest island after Greenland, stands as a major biodiversity hotspot. <\/p>\n\n

\"Lesser
A male Bird of Paradise Lesser (Cenderawasih Lesser) species sings on a tree calling it’s female in forest area of Isyo Hills Bird Watching, in Rhepang Muaif, Nimbokrang, Jayapura Regency, Papua. The forest is the habitat at least four species bird of paradise and other endemic Papuan birds.
\u00a9 Jurnasyanto Sukarno \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Shaped like its native Bird of Paradise, the island is on the frontline of both the biodiversity and climate crises due to a relentless push by agribusiness companies, backed by international finance, that want to clear its forests to make way for palm oil, paper pulp, and other plantations. Indigenous Peoples across the island are engaged in struggles with outsiders and governments who underestimate the strength of Indigenous connection to land and choose not to value their right to forest-based economies that protect their cultural and natural heritage.<\/p>\n\n

\"New
The bird-shaped island of New Guinea, showing estimated boundaries for languages within the Trans-New Guinea language family.
\u00a9 Simon J. Greenhill under CC License<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

And what a heritage it is! The variety and ruggedness of the terrain has allowed for a flourishing of different cultures across New Guinea, with many hundreds of distinct languages across dozens of separate speech \u2018lineages\u2019. While Indigenous land management methods and traditions vary from place to place in New Guinea, in accordance with local ecological conditions, the common thread is Indigenous connection to land. This is why land rights are so important throughout the island, including in Papua. And indeed, there, all land is owned by someone \u2013 hence the phrase Papua Bukan Tanah Kosong<\/em> (Papua is not an empty land).<\/p>\n\n

\"Blue-eyed
Blue-eyed spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus wilsoni)
\u00a9 Tim Flannery<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

New Guinea is also like a treasure chest filled with a kaleidoscopic array of distinctive animals. Besides birds of paradise, the island\u2019s treetops are home to reclusive marsupials \u2013 gliders, various species of tree kangaroos; and the furry cuscus family, including the critically endangered blue-eyed spotted cuscus.<\/p>\n\n

Down on the forest floor giant cassowary birds roam, and four species of Echidnas \u2013 egg-laying mammals \u2013 raise their puggles (babies). One of these Echidna species has been named after much beloved nature broadcaster, David Attenborough. <\/p>\n\n

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